Toxins produced by a group of bacteria known as Clostridium botulinum cause the disease known as botulism. This eMedTV page provides details about this rare but serious illness, including how it is acquired, symptoms, and treatment options.
There are three main botulism types: foodborne botulism, wound botulism, and infant botulism. This portion of the eMedTV archives describes these botulism types in detail and also provides information about what is known as "bioterror botulism."
A common source of botulism food poisoning, as this eMedTV page explains, is improperly preserved home-processed foods with low acid content (like corn and beets). This page offers tips for preventing botulism, like refrigerating oils that contain garlic.
The most common type of botulism is infant botulism, which accounts for 75 percent of all cases each year. This eMedTV segment explains this condition in detail, including causes, symptoms, treatments, and prognosis, and more.
The Clostridium botulinum bacterium produces nerve toxins that are the causes of botulism. As this section of the eMedTV library explains, this bacterium can produce seven forms of this toxin, only four of which are causes of botulism in humans.
Botulism transmission does not occur from one person to another. It occurs when the toxin-producing spores are ingested. This page on the eMedTV website describes how botulism transmission occurs in infants, wounds, and food.
Vision problems, slurred speech, and muscle weakness are common symptoms of botulism. This eMedTV page explains the various signs and symptoms, and how they can progress to paralysis of the legs, arms, torso, and respiratory system if left untreated.
Making a botulism diagnosis can be difficult because the lab test used to definitively make a diagnosis can take up to 4 days. This eMedTV Web page explains how a doctor goes about making a botulism diagnosis, including the possible tests required.
Key aspects of botulism treatment include careful observation and supportive care in a hospital. As this eMedTV article explains, an injection of antitoxin -- if the disease is caught early enough -- may also be used to treat botulism poisoning.
To prevent botulism in foods, it's important to follow strict hygienic procedures when canning food at home. This eMedTV resource outlines additional recommendations for botulism prevention in foods, infants, and wounds.
As this eMedTV Web page explains, children under 12 months old should not be fed honey, due to the risk of botulism. This article addresses the risk that honey presents to infants and explains how common it is for botulism to be transmitted this way.
